Racecards
20:15 Haydock Park
Europa Services Handicap (Class 4)
- 5 Runners
- Distance: 1m 2f 95y
- Going: Good, Good to Firm in places
- Surface: Turf
- £8,500 added
- Form 674-785
- Age 4
- Weight 9-13
- Official Rating 84
- Trainer B J Meehan
- Jockey S W Kelly
tracked leader, challenged 4f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on under strong pressure to lead last strides
- Form 088209-
- Age 6
- Weight 9-12
- Official Rating 83
- Trainer E J Alston
- Jockey D Allan
led, brought field to stands side over 4f out, headed over 3f out, weakened final furlong
- Form 6-09245
- Age 4
- Weight 9-7
- Official Rating 78
tracked leaders, pushed along over 3f out, beaten over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
- Form 377222
- Age 5
- Weight 8-10
- Official Rating 67
- Trainer H A McWilliams
- Jockey Neil Brown
slowly into stride, held up in last, headway over 3f out, ridden to challenge 2f out, took narrow lead well inside final furlong, headed last strides
- Form 15
- Age 3
- Weight 8-10
- Official Rating 78
- Trainer C & M Johnston
- Jockey Greg Fairley
tracked leaders, led over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, headed narrowly well inside final furlong, held near finish
- Form 627-782
- Age 5
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 85
Nonrunner
- Form 61-27
- Age 3
- Weight 9-1
- Official Rating 83
Nonrunner
Verdict
TIMOCRACY could be the answer to this puzzle with Hallstatt and Red Jade others worthy of note. The step up to 1m4f may have proved the undoing of Tim Walford's charge but he had won well at Pontefract previously and if able to convince on this surface, he has to be the percentage call. Mark Johnston's horses continue in good form so Hallstatt is noted in the market in his first run on the turf. Red Jade is a half-brother to Redbridge so there has to be a fair chance that he will be able to show his form on this surface. Snow Dancer has few issues in that regard though he may be slightly better over shorter. Magic Echo ran well over an inadequate trip at Doncaster last time out so expect her to go close over this extra two furlongs. Persian Peril absolutely dotted up over at Southwell on the fibresand though this will prove a sterner examination of his credentials. Itlaaq was fancied at big odds at Goodwood and duly delivered. John Dunlop's charge should be respected again this evening. Timocracy gets the vote.
Formwatch
Classic Legend 10-3 (9-9) Prominent, effort over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 7, 6l behind Fesko (8-8) at Thirsk 1m flls hcp 0-130 (3) gf in Jun.
Bajan Parkes 50-1 (9-2) Held up, headway on outer over 3f, weakened well over 1f, 9th of 13, 12l behind Meshtri (8-10) at Haydock 1m 6f hcap (3) gf in Sep.
Shady Gloom (IRE) 7-2 (9-5) Held up mid-division on outer, chased leaders over 4f out, went 2nd over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 6, 8l behind Traphalgar (9-6) at Beverley 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun.
Snow Dancer (IRE) 6-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, headway when not much room 2f out to over 1f out, ridden and edged left inside final furlong, stayed on to take 2nd near finish, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Honimiere (8-2) at Carlisle 1m 1f flls hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
Hallstatt (IRE) 5-2fav (9-3) Held up, driven 3f out, no impression, 5th of 7, 7l behind Simon Gray (9-7) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jun.
Magic Echo 20-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, switched right and headway on outer over 2f out, ran on final furlong, not reached winner, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Wovoka (9-9) at Doncaster 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gs in May.
Red Jade 11-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, outpaced over 3f out, soon ridden, no impression, 12th of 20, 10l behind Kavachi (9-2) at York 1m 1f hcp 105 (2) gd in Jun.
Persian Peril 6-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, led 3f out, ridden and hung left from over 2f out, soon in command, won at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in May beating Taikoo (9-3) by 1 3/4l, 7 ran.
Timocracy 9-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, headway to lead 3f out, headed well over 1f out, ridden and kept on until no extra well inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Grand Art (10-13) at York 1m 4f Amateur Handicap (0-80) (4yo+) (4) gf in May.
Distant Memories (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Led, headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 11, 11l behind Changing The Guard (8-10) at York 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Jun.
Itlaaq 8-1 (8-8) Held up in rear, steady headway on outside from over 2f out, shaken up to chase leaders over 1f out, stayed on to lead final 100 yards, won at Goodwood 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in May beating Just Like Silk (8-10) by 1/2l, 13 ran.